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The curious case of Moussa Sissoko

mawspurs

Staff
Jun 29, 2003
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This is a strange period in Tottenham's history. The best Spurs side in recent memory keep on winning matches despite having no permanent home, while remaining tantalisingly outside the elite, and the biggest trophies continue to elude them.

Source: Telegraph
 

Spurs 1961

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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Have been saying to people that the middle third is where he needs to play. Against Chelsea he did this looking comfortable, except on the one occasion that a corner or free kick (can't remember which) was played back to him to slowly as he was standing in a slightly more advanced position and he was surprised by it, though did recover. In this role he looks outstanding so enabling Dier to do the defensive covering as well as allowing our attacking/creative players to go do their stuff.

Admittedly I have almost exclusively greeted his appearance with a shake of the head often accompanied by laughter but he is proving himself an important asset to the first team squad
 

TottenhamMattSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
10,925
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Have been saying to people that the middle third is where he needs to play. Against Chelsea he did this looking comfortable, except on the one occasion that a corner or free kick (can't remember which) was played back to him to slowly as he was standing in a slightly more advanced position and he was surprised by it, though did recover. In this role he looks outstanding so enabling Dier to do the defensive covering as well as allowing our attacking/creative players to go do their stuff.

Admittedly I have almost exclusively greeted his appearance with a shake of the head often accompanied by laughter but he is proving himself an important asset to the first team squad
I said numerous times that he could replace Dembele. They both have the ability to take the ball up the pitch, win the ball, play simple passes. The advantage Dembele has is his insane ability to protect the ball when he has it. Sissoko is faster, stronger and more direct.
I still prefer Dembele as he's just so good to watch on the ball. But if I'm playing Sissoko, it's in Dembele's role.
 

tobias

Member
Mar 3, 2004
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I said numerous times that he could replace Dembele. They both have the ability to take the ball up the pitch, win the ball, play simple passes. The advantage Dembele has is his insane ability to protect the ball when he has it. Sissoko is faster, stronger and more direct.
I still prefer Dembele as he's just so good to watch on the ball. But if I'm playing Sissoko, it's in Dembele's role.
Assumed He was bought for exactly that reason/role. Not sure why its taken this long to actually play him there especially with Wanyama,winks and Dembele not being able to play consistently.
 

Johnny J

Not the Kiwi you need but the one you deserve
Aug 18, 2012
18,118
47,881
I said numerous times that he could replace Dembele. They both have the ability to take the ball up the pitch, win the ball, play simple passes. The advantage Dembele has is his insane ability to protect the ball when he has it. Sissoko is faster, stronger and more direct.
I still prefer Dembele as he's just so good to watch on the ball. But if I'm playing Sissoko, it's in Dembele's role.
I don't think he has enough positional sense to be a go-to CM, but I have to admit that he has performed far better this season than last. Also, I'm not sure Sissoko is stronger. Perhaps he is and Dembele just uses his body better.
 

TottenhamMattSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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He was fanbloodytastic last night. He was everywhere.
What I'm not seeing, probably because none of the dipper media are watching, is his current passing statistics.
Generally last night, he seemed to get the ball, by pass or tackle, very frequently and find a team mate with it almost all of the time. He's not trying 30 yard diagonals, he's playing the safe pass and that's all I want him to do.
 

Tiffers

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Aug 7, 2011
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I’ve definitely converted To being a fan of his after his performances this season
 

Sweetsman

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Jan 30, 2011
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I don't think he has enough positional sense to be a go-to CM, but I have to admit that he has performed far better this season than last. Also, I'm not sure Sissoko is stronger. Perhaps he is and Dembele just uses his body better.
Even when his confidence was low and he wasn't playing well on the ball, his positional sense was good. I would point this out to fans slagging him off sometimes.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
I think the reason so many are warming to him is because he’s suffered through so catastrophically poor form and come out the other end through sheer hard work and determination to succeed. If you can’t warm to that then you have to be some kind of cold, heartless bastard.

We’ve had some pretty ordinary players in our time that we’re loved for the heart that they showed when they pulled on the shirt.

Personally I don’t think Sissoko is as limited as he’s made out to be, he’s shown some sublime touch at times, good awareness, vision and weight of pass.

I’m absolutely made up for the guy after the torrid 2 seasons he’s had. God loves a trier, and so do Spurs fans. Sissoko keeps this up and he could really end up a cult hero with us, and I wouldn’t be happier if that were the case.
 

rupsmith

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2006
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Personally I don’t think Sissoko is as limited as he’s made out to be, he’s shown some sublime touch at times, good awareness, vision and weight of pass.

I think this is what has surprised most people. That cut back and cross for the Lamela goal, the general drives and perfectly weighted passes, quite a few examples.. Technically not as limited as everyone thought him to be. Obviously not the subtle type but definitely does have technical capability. Well done Moussa.

Unfortunately I do think Dembele's time is done. While he is no doubt very good at ball retention, I'm afraid his weakness is dictating tempo. The game always seems a bit slower and sideways when he is on but with great possession stats. Also with limited activity in the final third.

Sissoko - particularly after improving his retention and distribution skill - allows for more direct (sometimes counterattacking) play which gives the team more tactical flexibility. It's now now always about trying to get past an en-masse block of defenders but stretch the defensive lines and either whip the ball in from the flanks or thread the ball through the middle. Loved the Inter goal. We do look a more complete team now. Still think Llorente can offer more but besides that much more tactically flexible.
 

lol

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2008
6,651
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I think this is what has surprised most people. That cut back and cross for the Lamela goal, the general drives and perfectly weighted passes, quite a few examples.. Technically not as limited as everyone thought him to be. Obviously not the subtle type but definitely does have technical capability. Well done Moussa.

Unfortunately I do think Dembele's time is done. While he is no doubt very good at ball retention, I'm afraid his weakness is dictating tempo. The game always seems a bit slower and sideways when he is on but with great possession stats. Also with limited activity in the final third.

Sissoko - particularly after improving his retention and distribution skill - allows for more direct (sometimes counterattacking) play which gives the team more tactical flexibility. It's now now always about trying to get past an en-masse block of defenders but stretch the defensive lines and either whip the ball in from the flanks or thread the ball through the middle. Loved the Inter goal. We do look a more complete team now. Still think Llorente can offer more but besides that much more tactically flexible.
his time as a starter is done, i agree. but the bolded area is the exact reason why hes the perfect sub to kill the game off. retain possession, kill momentum
 

Japhet

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Aug 30, 2010
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He seems to have changed his game to something much more to his liking. When he would receive the ball and try to find a pass immediately he often failed to do so, but now when he receives the ball his first option is to knock it into space and get after it - often with devastating effect. Poch has given him a free pass and the confidence to do this and has come up with a tactical plan to let it happen. If he could do something similar for Llorente I'm sure he'd have a similar impact but we continue to ignore his strengths.
 

MyNameIsNicolaBerti

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2013
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Nothing "curious" about Sissoko. He's a player who came with a reputation of being lazy and arrogant, not the most gifted at that, who has gotten his head down and slowly improved his game. He's not unlike Lamela in that sense (in the sense of keeping on working away trying to hit form). He deserves respect and support.
 
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